episode_0119

Thud.

I passed through the magic circle at the labyrinth entrance and landed on the floor.

Labyrinth 1st floor.

Cool, damp air entered through my helmet.

Swish.

Jung Yushin reflexively drew his sword in the pitch-black darkness. And quietly waited for the guide’s judgment.

“No one is here.”

Mas, with his good hearing, said.

Only then did Jung Yushin take out a flint from his pocket and light the torch.

Whoosh.

The burning fire illuminated the darkness of the labyrinth.

Turning around, I saw the party members holding their weapons and standing back-to-back.

“We landed quite close to the transfer stone. Lucky.”

Mas spoke without even looking at the map.

“Can you recognize it at once?”

“It’s not like I’ve only been a guide for a day or two. I can recognize the first floor at a glance.”

Mas shrugged and replied.

“Save the chatter for later. Stay alert. Mas in the front, Sca in the back. I’ll stand at the very rear and protect Priest Kubo.”

“Okay.”

Following Iron Mask’s instructions, the party quickly formed a formation and moved forward.

“It’s eerie every time I come here.”

The naked dwarf shivered slightly.

“It’s only cool. Put on some clothes if you’re cold. Sometimes seeing you makes my heart feel chilly.”

“I’ve never heard a barbarian tell someone to put on clothes in all my life.”

The dwarf priest grumbled.

Mas kept turning back as if his mouth was itching, but he looked forward after receiving a glance from Iron Mask.

Jung Yushin and the party began walking through the labyrinth with torches.

* * *

One day. Two days. Three days. Four days. Five days.

Time flowed quickly even in the darkness.

“Hoo. We’ve finally arrived.”

Mas muttered, wiping the beads of sweat from his forehead.

Jung Yushin’s party exited the cave and stood on a high plateau, looking down at the city shrouded in darkness.

The forgotten city of Engrave.

From here, it is divided into 3 districts.

The final destination for Jung Yushin’s party is the 7th level of the forest district.

“Mas, you rascal! Where’s your head at?”

Kubo scolded the rat-person Mas with a stern expression.

The rat-person Mas scratched the back of his neck, looking embarrassed.

“I’m sorry. Priest. Haa. I guess I’ve lost my touch after being in prison for so long.”

Jung Yushin looked down at the city with his sword slung over his shoulder.

It took longer than expected because Mas read the map wrong in the middle. We ended up transferring to the outskirts several times. Still, it was fast. Of course, there was also the reason that we walked a little faster because time was tight.

“Let’s go quickly. We should rest inside the city today and go to the next level.”

Kubo glanced at Jung Yushin and Iron Mask and said.

Jung Yushin laughed inwardly.

Was he trying to prevent criticism from other party members by scolding him first?

Kubo’s consideration was felt in its entirety.

The party slowly descended the plateau without a word and walked towards the city.

There were footprints everywhere, as if many people had already passed by.

Traces of explorers became increasingly clear after passing through Engrave’s city gate.

This was because hobgoblin corpses were lying all over the central avenue.

Corpses with their necks cut and arms torn off.

Corpses that had been burned black and turned to ashes, and so on.

Various corpses greeted Jung Yushin’s party.

Jung Yushin walked slowly, looking around at the hobgoblin corpses.

After proceeding along the central avenue for about 2 hours, they found a resting place.

The place to rest was a small house in an alleyway slightly off the city’s central avenue.

Creak.

Jung Yushin entered first with a torch.

He carefully looked around.

‘Nothing much here.’

There was no one inside the house like Karin’s party last time. Just creaky tables and chairs.

But strangely, there was a slight sense of life.

This was because there wasn’t much dust accumulated.

‘Did the last party use it briefly?’

Anyway, he confirmed that the shelter was safe.

He called the party members, roughly cleaned the area, spread out blankets, and lit a fire with firewood.

They squatted down and ate the water and food they had each brought.

Crackle. Crackle.

A bonfire was burning under the fireplace made of old bricks.

Jung Yushin chewed on dried meat, looking at the fire.

The dwarf priest sat with his short, chubby legs drawn up and tore at dry bread.

“Kubo.”

When Jung Yushin called out, Kubo frowned, stroked his chin, and raised his head.

“What?”

“Does that sacred object really block the Eldritch Wave?”

“Well? I heard that they talked with the Magic Tower and the Wind Spirit God Order, but I don’t know the details. It hasn’t even been a year since the Eldritch Wave appeared. I see it as an experimental request.”

“Then isn’t it dangerous?”

“Didn’t Iron Mask say that there have been several requests? Don’t worry, nothing will happen.”

Jung Yushin nodded at the dwarf priest’s carefree words.

Mas grinned while gnawing on a biscuit.

“That guy Sca is laying down some weird bait again.”

Jung Yushin made a face like he was about to die.

‘These bastards.’

They were so carefree even after suffering so much in the forest district last time.

Mas is one thing, but Kubo, that dwarf priest, was still relaxed even after having his shoulder flesh eaten by baby spiders.

‘His nerves must be tougher than whale tendons.’

If my flesh was being eaten by spiders, I don’t know if I could stay sane.

He took out a box called the ‘sacred object’ from his magic backpack.

It was about the size of 3 cake boxes combined and weighed about 20kg.

If I hadn’t secured extra space in advance on Iron Mask’s advice, I would have had to readjust the supplies I brought because of the weight and size.

I lifted it easily because of the increased physical abilities from leveling up. If I had just fallen into this world, I would have struggled to lift it with great difficulty.

Jung Yushin pointed to the engraving on the surface of the box.

“Can you read these letters?”

“No. But I can tell that they’re made of ancient magic characters.”

The dwarf priest replied casually, as if he wasn’t very interested, and began to chew on the withered bread.

Jung Yushin tapped the box.

The ‘sacred object’ that people talk about, which supposedly drives out and purifies the energy of the labyrinth’s abyss.

It’s like.

Doesn’t it seem like a priest?

Jung Yushin stroked the box a few times and put it back in his bag.

“We won’t be able to stay long this time.”

“That’s right. The pressure on supplies is more severe than I thought because of the box’s weight and volume.”

Iron Mask stroked his greatsword and replied to Jung Yushin’s words.

“…”

Jung Yushin, having nothing more to say, turned his gaze to the bonfire.

The men leaned their backs against the wall and looked at the bonfire.

Crackle. Crackle.

At that time.

Thud. Thud.

There were footsteps and faint signs of people outside.

The party members, who had been relaxed, immediately drew their weapons. Jung Yushin was the fastest, grabbing his arming sword and shield and standing in front of the party.

“Oh, there were people here.”

“I told you.”

“Ahem!”

Iron Mask cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“Who is it?!”

Holding his sword with both hands and resting it on his shoulder.

He was ready to immediately swing down and split the opponent in half if they forced their way in.

“Ah. It’s nothing. This is a shelter we often use, so we came to check it out. We didn’t know there was someone here already. We’ll leave, so don’t mind us.”

A voice came from outside, saying they would retreat calmly.

Jung Yushin and the party members exchanged glances.

“Okay.”

“Hoo. You scared me.”

Mas sighed deeply and muttered.

“Huh? Isn’t that Mas’s voice?!”

A voice came from outside again. A woman’s voice. A lively and bubbly voice.

“Um? Senior?”

Mas’s eyes widened.

Senior?

“Mas, it’s me, Lumi!”

Iron Mask turned his head to look at Mas.

“Mas, do you know them?”

Mas scratched his head.

“She’s a senior in the guide association. I learned a lot from her in many ways.”

“Mas, I heard you got promoted, are you already in the labyrinth?”

“Yes. Senior, my party members received a request, so I just came along.

“Is that so? Good luck!”

A voice full of laughter came from outside.

Iron Mask thought about something for a moment and opened his mouth.

“Mas, why don’t you meet them and have a conversation?”

“No… it’s not that kind of relationship.”

Mas replied with an awkward expression.

“Mas, don’t you want to see me?”

The woman’s voice came from outside the door.

“Ah, no. It’s not that.”

Mas stammered in confusion.

“It’s rude to do this outside. We are the Huntsman Clan. Who are you?”

A dignified voice came from outside the door.

“…”

Jung Yushin tilted his head.

Suddenly mentioning their clan name first. I’ve only heard of dark clans in the eastern district, but this is the first time I’ve heard of a clan created by explorers.

But not only Kubo and Iron Mask, but even Mas nodded.

“Am I the only one who doesn’t know?”

Jung Yushin asked.

“The Huntsman Clan is a group of mid- to high-level explorers who mainly focus on hunting. They’re famous.”

Iron Mask explained briefly.

“Is that so? Are they a trustworthy clan?”

“Yes. As long as they’re not impersonating them.”

Mas nodded and added.

“It’s a small to medium-sized clan. It’s the place I want to join the most.”

“Is that so? I should take a look at their faces.”

Jung Yushin approached and opened the door, and 4 people were standing at a distance.

They were of different races.

An elf with a bow.

A human heavy armor warrior with a sword and shield.

A cat-person with a short bow.

Finally, a wolf-person with a crossbow.

Most of them were wearing thin leather armor.

Anyone could tell.

A distorted party structure.

‘Who’s the healer?’

There was a heavy armor human warrior, but 3 of them were ranged dealers. If they were suddenly attacked from behind, the formation would collapse immediately.

Which means.

Catastrophe.

Are they that skilled?

‘Kill them before they come?’

Does that mean the best defense is offense?

While Jung Yushin was turning his head this way and that.

The cat-person waved his hand from a short distance.

“Mas, long time no see.”

Mas stuck his face out through the door.

“Senior, have you been well?”

“Of course. Can we come in?”

“Yes. It’s hard for me to say it myself, but they’re good colleagues. You don’t have to worry.”

“Is that so?”

The cat-person’s party members slowly entered.

Jung Yushin and the party members stood in a row in one corner.

As people entered one by one, they paused for a moment.

They looked at the dwarf wearing only underwear once. They looked at Iron Mask once, and then looked at Jung Yushin.

Fortunately, Jung Yushin was wearing a helmet, so they couldn’t see his face and hair.

“Well, this is a unique party. I’m Heder Volkman. I’m the leader of this party and a member of the Huntsman Clan.”

The wolf-person with white fur said in a dignified voice.

“Mas, your friends look unique. Can you introduce them?”

The cat-person wagged his tail and said.

“Iron Mask. I’m the leader of the party. Everyone knows that the Huntsman Clan is famous, right? Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Kubo, a mid-level priest who serves the fire spirit god.”

“I’m…”

“I don’t need a separate introduction for Mas.”

“No. Senior…”

Mas stuttered at the cat-person’s words and shrunk back.

“And who is the last person?”

The cat-person smiled and looked at Jung Yushin.

Jung Yushin took off his helmet.

Everyone’s gaze immediately pierced Jung Yushin’s face.

His long hair, which had grown quite a bit, swayed and flowed down.

“Sca. The party’s vanguard.”

The smell of sweat trapped inside the helmet wafted out.

“Huuueok!!!”

“Meow Meow!!!”

The wolf-person and the cat-person staggered back for a moment.

Jung Yushin frowned.

Don’t tell me they’re going to discriminate against me again for being a barbarian, spit on me, kick me, and give me crap?

‘I should have just kept my helmet on.’

He regretted it for no reason.

The cat-person barely smiled and opened his mouth.

“Oh… um? Are you that Virgin Barbarian?”

The cat-person immediately heard Jung Yushin’s alias and recognized his identity.

A deep smile spread across Jung Yushin’s lips.

‘As expected.’

It came out right away. This is why image management is important.

‘I’ve been building this image for so long. It’s finally paying off. A happy labyrinth life is right around the corner.’

Recognition.

One word. Two syllables.

Hot emotion surged into his heart.

“That’s right. The living conscience of the labyrinth city. The acting goodwill. That’s me.”

“…”

The surroundings became quiet.

The wolf-person suddenly raised his head and stared at the ceiling, counting the rafters, and finally opened his mouth.

“Can we sit down and rest for a while? I’m tired from walking so fast.”

“Rest comfortably.”

The party members split up and sat around the bonfire.

They started chatting and getting to know each other.

The name of the elf male archer was Andy.

The name of the human warrior was Mick.

For some reason, I was drawn to the human warrior more than the archer.

‘Vanguard is better than ranged dealer.’

The prickly stubble. The shaggy brown hair. And the quiet way he was sitting seemed like a warrior.

His age also seemed similar.

Maybe it’s because we’re bound by an unavoidable class, but I felt a strange sense of kinship.

There’s no way I’ll be discriminated against for being a barbarian here.

Which means.

It was an opportunity to build a friendship.

A vanguard without a healer.

I wondered if this human was confident in his skills.

“Ahem! You said your name was Mick? How many years have you been living in the labyrinth?”

Identifying the other person is the best way to start a conversation.

At least that worked in Korean society.

The man named Mick turned his head to look at Jung Yushin. Annoyed eyes flickered in the bonfire light.

Mick silently shook his hand.

‘Is that not it?’

His face was covered in fatigue and annoyance.

Did he not have the energy to talk to other people?

Still, you have to tell me so I can understand.

“If you don’t like it, say you don’t like it.”

The man named Mick sighed at Jung Yushin’s stiff words.

And opened his mouth.

“I want to spit phlegm into a watery vagina and rub it with the palm of my hand before having unforgiving vagina climax sex with my erect dick.”

‘…?’

Jung Yushin’s eyes widened.

“Wh-what?!”